People living in larger bodies face constant discrimination and negative messages about their body weight.
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Ads for targeted fat loss, especially
for belly fat, are everywhere on social media. But is there any evidence to support this type of ‘spot reduction’?
Reduction in physical activity over the last few decades is one of the main culprits in rising obesity rates.
Obesity is itself a disease, in addition to contributing to the onset and progression of other conditions such as diabetes, heart attack and stroke.
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Obesity is a disease that shares several characteristics with cancer, but does not get the same society-wide recognition of its disease status, so people with obesity are less likely to get treatment.
The BMI does not distinguish between excess body fat, bone mass or musculature. It also does not interpret the distribution of fat, which is a predictor of health.
Following news of Ozempic’s ability to help its users lose weight, it did not take long for fat-haters to surface.
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Ty Ferguson, University of South Australia and Carol Maher, University of South Australia
Researchers asked more than 350 adults to weigh themselves daily or weekly. They found a yo-yo pattern of weight gain over festive periods and cooler months.
Obese children outnumber underweight ones globally, and ‘social determinants’ in kids’ lived environments play a fundamental role. Obesity in kids can lead to a lifetime of poor health.
Learning how to treat endocrine disorders in horses may also lead to treatments in people, and vice versa.
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Horses and humans share biological similarities that lead them to suffer from similar endocrine and orthopedic diseases. A number of treatments that work for one species often work for the other.
For many people, trying to lose excess fat is very difficult without help. Effective treatment is available when obesity affects health.
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Despite the prevalent view that people with large bodies should simply eat less and move more, it’s nearly impossible to fight our genetic heritage or other factors that are not within our control.
Aging and obesity are likely to be the two primary drivers of the expected rise in diabetes.
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Some researchers assert that the body responds to exercise by burning fewer calories when you’re not working out. Regardless of its effects on weight loss, exercise provides many health benefits.
Research suggests childhood trauma has a big part to play in obesity.
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Australian of the year Taryn Brumfitt has called for doctors to avoid raising the issue of weight in consultations about other matters. We asked the experts if they should – or not.
Professor and Programme Director, SA MRC Centre for Health Economics and Decision Science - PRICELESS SA (Priority Cost Effective Lessons in Systems Strengthening South Africa), University of the Witwatersrand